UVM Offseason Thread- Summer 2013

[catmandoo]

Re: UVM Offseason Thread- Summer 2013

No but it would move them up over UMass (terrible on 2012/2013 with the worst ranked recruiting class) don't you think... or maybe even UVM who had terrible numbers a year ago and a 10/11 ranked recruiting class? Since NU is still ranked dead last, I don't think the coaches are all that high on whose coming in.

As I have been saying bottom line is that the recruits we have were late commits for a reason. Sneddon will learn someday that the grass is not always greener. Only one of them will be a major contributor and at least its in the most important spot.

[jcarter7669]

Re: UVM Offseason Thread- Summer 2013

Only one of them will be a major contributor and at least its in the most important spot.

I think you will find that several of the forwards will see significant ice time and also make significant contributions. Look, Sneddon didn't bring in 10-11 skaters to fill 4 spots. He brought in 10-11 skaters to fill 7-8 spots. Those that do not produce will find the bench in favor of someone else that is going to work hard for their ice time. I see it as a change in mentality that was missing, either you work hard, dig for pucks, and block shots or you ride the pine and one of the other guys will dig for pucks, blocks shots, and work hard. There are 3-4 forwards that could see regular ice time and 2 that will likely be regulars in the line up. And Santaguida will push Hoffman. Either Hoffman worked hard over the summer to improve, or he's going to end up a la Mike Spillane.

[jcarter7669]

Re: UVM Offseason Thread- Summer 2013

Sneddon's interview at HE Media Day...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_JqtzTMR7M

Nothing really new or special in here.

[catmandoo]

Re: UVM Offseason Thread- Summer 2013

I think you will find that several of the forwards will see significant ice time and also make significant contributions. Look, Sneddon didn't bring in 10-11 skaters to fill 4 spots. He brought in 10-11 skaters to fill 7-8 spots. Those that do not produce will find the bench in favor of someone else that is going to work hard for their ice time. I see it as a change in mentality that was missing, either you work hard, dig for pucks, and block shots or you ride the pine and one of the other guys will dig for pucks, blocks shots, and work hard. There are 3-4 forwards that could see regular ice time and 2 that will likely be regulars in the line up. And Santaguida will push Hoffman. Either Hoffman worked hard over the summer to improve, or he's going to end up a la Mike Spillane.

I think you are correct in your assessment of what Sneddon TRYING to do. My point is that if 7-8 of these forwards are playing regular time, we wont be alot better. No disrespect to the incoming freshman players but I am suspect on overage late commits but I hope I am proven wrong.

[jcarter7669]

Re: UVM Offseason Thread- Summer 2013

I think you are correct in your assessment of what Sneddon TRYING to do. My point is that if 7-8 of these forwards are playing regular time, we wont be alot better. No disrespect to the incoming freshman players but I am suspect on overage late commits but I hope I am proven wrong.

I would be interested in seeing the actual ages in relation to other teams. Just quickly, of the three I bothered to look at :

UVM avg age - 21.17

UML avg age - 21.93

MC avg age - 21.78

I didn't look at solely freshman, but that would be interesting... maybe next time I have some free time I will figure out the comparison...I would be interesting to see.

[VTinNY]

Re: UVM Offseason Thread- Summer 2013

Rankings of recruiting classes always tend to assume that players on NHL watch lists/drafted are intrinsically much better players and that younger "true freshmen" will improve more than the older players. Both assumptions are flawed.

Most NHL drafted/watch list players will never set foot on the ice in an NHL game and many will not be good college players. The NHL loves anyone who is big and has "potential" to get better, but most don't get much better. And many of the one's that do have success in college will leave after 1-2 years, meaning the school has to roll the dice with another "top prospect". There is also plenty of recent proof that older "overage" players do improve over the course of their college careers, and in fact have the advantages of being more physically ready right from the start and will usually stay for 3-4 years. Nobody thought UML had any good recruiting classes over most of the last 7-8 years and they focused almost entirely on older players. Now they are genius after winning HE and going to a F4. Union, Merrimack and Ferris have also had significant success with mostly older players.

I'm not saying that younger prospects that are drafted in the rounds 1-3 or are otherwise coming off big seasons in juniors/USNDP aren't the cream of the crop. But there really aren't a lot of these players and BC, BU, Michigan, Minny etc. usually scoop them up (this year is no exception). I realistically don't expect UVM to win battles for those type of players, and going after some older players makes sense. I continue to think that this class will help the talent level this season and over the next couple year's. Puskarich is fast & skilled, Shaw is a load who knows how to score, and Bradley is a hard worker that makes his teammates better. They were overlooked by other programs for a number of reasons, but no reason they can't succeed with the Cats.

[Cat lover]

Re: UVM Offseason Thread- Summer 2013

[QUOTE=VTinNY;5774959]Most NHL drafted/watch list players will never set foot on the ice in an NHL game and many will not be good college players. The NHL loves anyone who is big and has "potential" to get better, but most don't get much better.

Ah the Arthur Femmenella concept.

[4035]

Re: UVM Offseason Thread- Summer 2013

Bruins down to 23 Man Roster and UVM's Kevan Miller is still on it.

http://video.bruins.nhl.com/videocen...L%7CBOS%7Chome

[jcarter7669]

Re: UVM Offseason Thread- Summer 2013

Bruins down to 23 Man Roster and UVM's Kevan Miller is still on it.

http://video.bruins.nhl.com/videocen...L%7CBOS%7Chome

Good for Miller... I will eat crow, I never thought he would make it... seems like sometimes not only do you need to be signed, but you need to be signed by the right team. Martin St Louis and Calgary for example. I always thought Sifers would still be playing in the NHL... And why did Perrin never end up a full time NHLer. Kudos to Kevan though... it looks like he is getting a shot, hopefully it works for him.

Other news... Thomas back in the NHL with the Panthers. Stalberg on the IR in Nashville. Would be nice to see Mitchell get a shot on a scoring line for Minny... but seems to be stuck as a career 4th liner

[jcarter7669]

Re: UVM Offseason Thread- Summer 2013

WCAX story on the Cats...

Of note, Sneddon singles out McCarthy and Brickley returning. Sounds like they had offers... it maybe that some of the "extra recruits" were also an insurance policy in case they did.


http://www.wca*****/story/23553156/u...clipId=9356212

[jcarter7669]

Re: UVM Offseason Thread- Summer 2013

Excerpt from an article in the VT Cynic

“The pace is different this year,” Coach Kevin Sneddon said, who is entering his 10th season leading the team. “I think this stems from an increase in our talent level. Our strength and conditioning coach deserves a lot of credit, Justin Smith. The guys are in shape and are ready to go. So practices have been at a much higher tempo than we’re used to seeing.”


Hopefully this is truly the case and they start fast because with 20 games in the season they need a fast start...

[UVM - Bruin]

Re: UVM Offseason Thread- Summer 2013

A couple things

- The Bruins waived Kevan Miller in the hopes of sending him down to Providence (http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2...ler-on-waivers). I would expect he might get claimed by another team.
- Anyone else going to Penn State game in Philly? Is the University doing an alumni reception before/after? Anyone know of a UVM friendly bar in town?

[GreenCat]

Anyone have observations from the game? Any idea why Hoffman didn't get any playing time?

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Re: UVM Offseason Thread- Summer 2013

Anyone have observations from the game. Any idea why Hoffman didn't get any playing time?

Don't know why other than to say it's a meaningless exhibition game and Sneddon wanted to get a look at his two new goalies. Plus, with another exhibition game today, there's still time for Hoffman to get some PT before the ND series.

BFP indicates McCarthy and Reynolds both left the game with injuries. Hope it's nothing serious or that could really be trouble, especially with Fallon already banged up.

BFP also indicates Sneddon has another two full seasons left on his contract. Didn't realize that was the case and, unless things improve, it might not be good good news. That said, I think the team will improve, and I'm psyched for the season. Go Cats Go!

[PuckVoice]

Don't know why other than to say it's a meaningless exhibition game and Sneddon wanted to get a look at his two new goalies. Plus, with another exhibition game today, there's still time for Hoffman to get some PT before the ND series.
BFP also indicates Sneddon has another two full seasons left on his contract. Didn't realize that was the case and, unless things improve, it might not be good good news. That said, I think the team will improve, and I'm psyched for the season. Go Cats Go! BFP indicates McCarthy and Reynolds both left the game with injuries. Hope it's nothing serious or that could really be trouble, especially with Fallon already banged up.

Hoffman is out for the weekend with an unspecified injury ... the word is it is precautionary rather than anything considered serious ... McCarthy and Reynolds were both hurt on the same play at different places on the ice. McCarthy came back later ... Reynolds ... who needed to be helped off the ice ...did not.